Dipping means for quenching articles



Sept. 9, 1930. A. s. PHELPS 1,775,254

DIPPING MEANS FOR QUENCHING ARTICLES Filed Dec. 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 wwmw 5. 1 /76 405 Sept. 9, 1930. A. s. PHELPS DIPPING I EANS FOR QUENCHING ARTICLES Filed Dec. 28, 1928 2 Shuts-Shut 2 Qifi dirffizzr Patented Sept. 9, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR S. PHELPHS, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T PRATT & LETCHWORTH COMPANY, OE BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION. OF OHIO DIPPING MEANS FOR QUENCHING ARTICLES Application filed December 28, 1928.

This invention relates to improvements in dipping means for quenching articles.

In the manufacture of helically coiled springs from straight bars, after the bars which are heated have been coiled to helical form-on a mandrel, it is the practice to quench thecoil's in: a bath provided for that purpose, the coils being ordinarily brought to the dipping tank anddipped into the quenching bath and: removed therefrom manually. Such handling of the coils entails a great amount of labor andfrequently inv an elfort' to speed up production the operator accidentally dropsthe coils into the bath, thus causing splashingof the quenching fluid with resultant waste and frequent injury to the operator by the hot fluid.

One object of the invention is to overcome the deficiencies pointed out, reduce the amount of laborinvolved, andv at the same time speed up production, by providing 'a dippingmechanismwhich receives the spring coils-from aconveying mechanism and effects a quick immersing of the. springs in the quenching bath.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a clipping mechanism which comprises aspoonelike receptacle adapted to support the springs and is actuated by'theweight of the spring thereon to lower the same into the quenching bath.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a dipping mechanism of the character indicated, including. a pivoted dipping member, the, receptacle member of which, when empty, is overba-lanced by weight means, the weight of a spring member placed in the receptacle overcoming the effect of the overbalancing Weight means to lower the receptacle into the quenching bath, wherein the weight means is adjustable so that springs of different weights may be handled with equal facility.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide amechanism for immersing springs-an a quenching bath, including a dip per having a fixed supporting member pivotedbetween itsends in sucha manner that the cup orreceptaclepart ofthedipper will swing downwardly by the action. of gravity Serial No. 328,974.

when weighted by aspring to be immersed, the cup or receptacle member of the dipper being of such a shape as to permit the spring to roll therefrom by the tilting of the cup or receptacle when the dipper reaches its lowermost position, cooperating conveying means being employed to carry the spring coils to the cup of the dipper and also carry the same through the quenching bath.

Other and further objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a horizontal plan view of a quenching apparatus, illustrating my improvements in connect-ion therewith, certain upright vertical standards being shown in horizontal section. Figure 2 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of the apparatus illustrated in Figure l, the chute through which the articles are fed being shown in section. Figure 3 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional View, partly broken away, corresponding substantially to theline 33 of Figure 1. And Figure 4; is a vertical, transverse, sectional view, eorrespondin substantially to the line 1 'i of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, 10 indicate generally the quenchingtank of the apparatus, the same being in the form of an elongated trough having vertical side and end walls. A conveying mechanism, not shown, is preferably employed in connection with the tank 10 to carry the articles lengthwise of the same. The tank contains the usual quenching fluid which preferably is oil. The helical spring coils are formed in the usual coiling machine and are conveyed therefrom to the quenching tank. As will be understood, the helical spring coils are formed from substantially straight bars which are properly heated. so that the coiling operation may be readily performed. \Vhile in the heated condition, the spring coils are taken from the coiling machine and conveyed through a chute, or any other well known means, to my improved dipping apparatus which is associated with the quenching tank 10.

In carrying out my invention, I provide are pivotally supported between their on a shaft 19 extending through the beams upright standards 11-11 at opposite sides of the quenching tank, the standards being securely fixed to the framework of the tank and braced at their upper ends by a transverse reinforcing member .12 which is suitably fixed to said standards. The standards 11 serve as a supporting framework for my improved dipping mechanism proper.

The dipping. mechanism proper comprises a supporting member 13 pivoted. between'its ends and'having a carrier 14 for the coil springs to be dipped at one end thereof, the carrier 1 1 being inthe form of a'spoonshaped cup. The supporting member 13 comprises a pair of side beams 15 15 connected by anend member 16 and an intermediate member 17 secured to the bottom sides there of. The membes 16 and 17 are prefera 'ly in the form of angle bars, as most clearly shown in Figure 3. A central reinforcing beam 18 is also employed, the same being shorter than the beams 15, as most clearly illustrated in Figure 3. The beam 18 is also fixed to the angle bar 17. The beams ends 15 and 18, the-shaft 19 l3eing provided wi h sockets 20-20 at the o posite ends thereof in which the inner ends or set screwsor bolts 21-21 engage. The bolts 21 are adjustably mounted in the standards 11, the same on tending through screw-threaded openings in said standards and each being provided with a loclr nut to lock the same to said standard when properly adjusted. As will be evident, the supporting member 13 is thus pivotally supported to swing about the axis of the shaft 19 and by proper adjustment of the set screws 21 an easy swinging movement of the same is had.

The carrier portion lei of the dipping mechanism is formed at the outer ends of the beams 15 and 18 at the right hand end of the structure, as shown in Figure 3. As shown in said figure, the beams are provided with downwardly offset curved sections 22 which form the bowl portion of the spoonshaped carrier member. At the freeend, the heams'15 and 18 are inclined upwardly, as indicated at 23-23,for a purpose hereinafterpointed out. The bottom wall and end wall portions of the carrier member 14-. are formed by a plurality of harsi l2i which are welded to the side men'ibers of the carrier, which are continuations of the beams 15 and are supported centrally by the extension of the central beam 18. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the bars 24 are of cylindrical cross-section and are spaced apart so thatthey will form a basket-like supportthrough which the liquid may drain when the carrier is liftedoutof the quenching tank.

As shown in Figure 3, when the supporting member 13 is in horizontalposition, the carrier 14 will hold the ar icle ilaced thereon but when the supporting member is tilted tothe dotted line position shown in Figure 3, the spoon-like carrier will be tilted so that the article will slide or roll from the same. A coiled spring A is shown in dotted lines as disposed within the carrier 14, in Figure 3, the spring being of relatively small diameter. The spoon-shaped section-of the carrier is so formed that springs of much great or diameter maybe handled with equal facilty and will be held on the carrier when the same is in the horizontal position shown in the full lines in Figure As will be evident, whenthe supporting member is swung downwardly, thereby tilting the carrier, the

coiled s rin will roll from the carrier b member the bars 26'havin ftheir o3 osite 7 b ends secured to the vertical flangesof the angle bars 16 and 17. The counterweight members 25 are in the form, of elongated bars having guide openings. at the opposite ends thereof, through which the guide bars 26 extend. As shown, the-barsforming the weight member 25 are preferably bolted together at oppositeendsr In order to adjust the weightmember 25 lengthwise of the pivf oted supporting member 13 so asto accommodate therdipping mechanism for operation on springs'o'f different weights, I provide an adjusting means comprising arotary shaft 27 havin the inner end journaled in the vertical fl ange of the angle bar 17 and having the outer end journaled in the vertical flange of the angle bar 16. The shaft-27 is provided withan operating hand wheel 28 for rotating the same. The shaft 27 is thread ed, as shown. The shaft extends through the bars forming the weight member'25 and the opening which receives the shaft is threaded so that rotation of the shaft inone direction will carry the'weight outwardly on the supporting member 13 and rotation of the shaft in the reverse ,direction will carry the same inwardly. As will be evident, when the weight member 25 is adjusted outwardly, the overbala'ncing eifect will be increased and heaviersprings may be handled without danger of the carrier end'of the dipping mechanism being swung downwardly too abruptly. When lighter springs are handled, the weightmemberis adjusted inwardly onthe shaft 27, seas to decrease the overbalancing effect thereof;

In all positions of the weight member 25,

the overbalancing effectis-such that the carrier, end 14;;ofthe supporting member 13 will be maintained in the horizontal raised position above the quenching tank, as shown in Figure 3; In order to provide imeans for locking the dipping member in horizontal position when desired, a hand-operated latch is preferably provided, comprising a sliding bar29 mounted: on a suppo-rt30 at the side of the framework of the mechanism, the end of the bar beingprovidedwith a latch finger 31 engaging within a recess 32 in the correspond ing side member 15 of thGSUPPOIitillg means 13., The sliding bar 29 is operated by a pivoted lever 33 supported between its endson a pivot34 andconnected to the bar 29 by a pivot 35. As will be evident, when the handle end of the lever is pulled outwardly, the locking finger is engaged within the opening 32 to lock the dipping member in horizontal position and when swung in an inward direction the locking finger 31' will be withdrawn from the opening 32 and the supporting member 13 willbe free to swing when: weighted at the carrier end bya spring coil. I

Upward swinging, movement of the carrier end 14 of the dipping: member is limited by the transverse angle bar member 16 coming in contact with an angular stop member 36 forming a part of the reinforcing framework at the upper edge ofv the quenching tank. The supporting member 13 will thus be maintained inproper horizontal position. Downward-swinging movement. of the carrier end 14 of the dipping member is limited: by a stop bracket 37 which issecured to the transverse connectingmember 12 for the standards. As shown, thebracket 37 comprises a horizontal top section, a downwardly inclined outer arm andan upstanding free end portion which is adapted to'engage-with the operating hand wheel 28, thus limitingthe upward swinging movement of the corresponding end of the supporting member 13.

, As shown, the bracket 37 is preferably secured centrally of the transverse connecting member 12.

As hereinbefore pointed out, one feature of the dipper is to immerse the coil: quickly, for which reason the counterbalancing arrangement hereinbefore described, is provided. In order, however, that shock to the-apparatusmay be eliminated during the return movement of the dipper to normal position, a shock absorber or dampening means isprovided. This may take the form of a door check, as illustratedconventionally at 38, the same being secured by bracket 11 to one of the standards 11. The usual lever arm 39 of the check is connected at its outer end by a turnbuckle link 40 to one side beam 15 of the dipper... By means of the turnbuckle, the

necessary adjustments can be made, as will be obvious, and it will further be seen that the return stroke of the dipper to normal position will be cushioned, so as to prevent any excessive impacts.

In order to convey the helically coiled spring members to the carrier 14; of the dipping mechanism, a guide chute 12 is mounted on one side wall of the quenching tank 10, the guide chute 42 being inclined donnwardly at theinner end, as shown most clearly in Figure 4, and terminating at one. side of the carrier H. The guide chute 12 is provided with side walls having their outer end portions flared laterally outwardly, as indicated at 13-43, in order to properly guide the coils into the carrier. The helically coiled spring members are brought to the dipping mechanism from the coiling machine by any suitable conveying means, indicated at 4. 1 in Figure 1. The conveying means -14: feeds the coiled springs to the chute 4-2 in succession.

In order to properly center the coiled springs within the carrier 14, a gauge means is provided, the same comprising a vertical gauge plate 45 of the contour shown in Figure 3, the gauge plate being provided with a stem 16 in the form of an angle bar having one of the flanges thereof disposed horizontally and the other vertically. The bar 46 is supported from a bracket 47 fixed to the corresponding side of the frame structure of the quenching tank, the horizontal flange of the bar 16 being slotted, as indicated at 18, to receive a clamping bolt 19 secured to the bracket i7. As will be evident when the clamping bolt 49 is loosened, the gauge plate 4:5 may be adjusted either inwardly or outwardly so as to cooperate with different lengths of coiled spring members, so that both relatively long and short coils may be properly centered on the carrier 14.

In the operation of my improved dipping device, the helically coiled springs are fed lengthwise along the conveying mechanism 14 and down the chute i2 into the receptacle 23, the same being stopped in centered position by the gauge plate 45. It will be understood that the spring coils, which are fed one at a time, may be placed in position on the carrier 14 in the manner described, either manually or by automatic means. As soon as the spring coil is resting in the carrier 14:, the

weight of the same will overcome the effect of the overbalancing weight 25 and. the tendency will be for the carrier end 14 of the dipping mechanism to be swung downwardly.

As will be obvious, in order to permit the lowering of the carrier and spring coil therein, the finger 31 of the latch must be in the disengaged position shown in Figure 1, thereby permitting the free swinging movement of the clipping member. The carrier, together with the coil spring supported there on, will thus be lowered quickly into the quenching bath until substantially the dotted line position of the parts shown in Figure 3 is reached, where swinging movement of the supporting member is arrested by the stop 87. When the parts have assumed thisv position, the spoon-like carrier member will be tilt-ed to such an extent that the helical'ly' to the horizontal position shown in Figure 3,

ready to receive another coil to be dipped. The conveying mechanism hereinbel ore referred to, which is preferably employed in connection with the'quenching tank, will carry the coiled springs away from the point ill) at which they are'ejected from the spoonshaped carrier. I

lVhile'I have herein shown and described what I consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications which come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a dipping means, the combination with a quenching bath; of apertorate carrier member normally supported above said bath and movable downwardly to lower an article into the bath, said carrier member being actuated by the weight of an -article placed thereon for lowering said article into the bath.

2. In a dipping means, the combination with a quenching bath; of a movable carrier having a perforate bottom; overbalancing means for normally holding said carrier in raised position above the bath, said carrier being movable downwardly to immerse an article placed thereon and the efiiect of said overbalancing means being overcome by the weight of an article placed on said carrier, whereby the carrier, with the article thereon, is loweredinto said bath.

3. In a dipping means, the combination with a quenching bath; of a supporting member pivoted between its ends to swing in a vertical plane; a carrier tired to one end of said arm, said carrier having a perforate bottom wall; and means for weighting the other end of the arm to overbalance said carrier to hold the same iniraised position above the bath, theeifect ofsaid overbalancing means being overcome by the weight of an article placed on said carrier, whereby the arm is swung on its :pivotand the carrier, with the article thereon, is lowered into saidbath.

l. In a dipping means, the combination with a quenching bath of a dipper comprising a spoon-likecarrier grid member adapted to receive the article to be dipped and a supporting means rigid therewithysaid supporting means being pivoted between its ends to swing in a vertical plane; means for weighting the outer end of said supporting means, to overbalance' the carrier member when empty,.to"hold the latter in raisediposition above said bath, the effect of said over balancingmeans being'overcome by an article placed on the carrier, whereby the supporting means is swung on its pivot and the carrier, 7

with the article thereon, immersed in said placed on'the carrier, whereby said supporting means is swung on its pivot and the carrier, together with the article thereon, lowered into said bath, said weight means being adjustable inwardly and outwardly on said supportingmeans to change the overbalancing eliect to correspond with articles of different weights. 7 a

6. In a dipping means, the combination with aquenching bath ;of a swinging support mounted above said bath, said support being pivoted between its ends and having arms ex tending in opposite directions from said pivot point; a grid-like carrier for an article at the outer end of one of said arms; Weight means mounted on said other arm for overbalancing the carrier when empty and means for adjusting said weight means lengthwise of said arm to change the overbalancing efl'ect thereof, the overbalancing effect I of said weight means being overcome by thearticle placed on said carrier to swing said supporting means on its pivot and lower said carrier with the article thereon into said bath.

7. In adipping means, the combination with-a quenching bath; of a swinging dipper normally supported above-said bath overbalancing means for holding said dipper in raised position when the dipper is empty, the eiiect of said overbalancing means being overcome by the weight of an article on said dipper to swing said dipper downwardly and immerse the article in said bath; and means for dampening the return movement of said dipper. v ,r

8. In a dipping means, the combination with a quenching bath; of a swingingly supported carrier normally disposed above said bath; overbalancing means for holding said pin carrier in raised position when the same is empty, the efiect of said overbalancing means being overcome by the weight of an article on said carrier to swing said carrier downwardly and immerse the article in said bath; and shock absorbing means yieldingly opposing return movement of said carrier.

9. In a dipping means, the combination with a quenching bath; of a swinging supporting member provided with a carrier portion supported above said bath; overbalaneing means for holding said carrier in raised position when the same is empty, the effect of said overbalancing means being overcome by the weight of an article on said carrier to swing said support downwardly and immerse the article in said bath; and adjustable gauge means cooperating with said carrier for centering articles of different length thereon.

10. In a'dipping means, the combination with a quenching bath; of a swinging dipper normally supported above said bath; automatic means for feeding articles to said dipper; overbalancing means for holding said dipper in raised position when the dipper is empty; and 'I'nanually controlled means for latching said dipper in raised position.

11. In a dipping means, the combination with a quenching bath; of a dipper swingingly supported above said bath and adapted to be swung to lower an article supported thereon into said bath, said dipper having a spoon-shaped carrier portion shaped to accommodate articles of various diameters; and a gauge member with respect to which the carrier is movable, said gauge member being adjustable for centering articles of different lengths on said carrier.

12. In a dipping means, the combination with a quenching bath; of a framework; a swinging supporting member pivoted between its ends to said framework; a perfora-ts spoon-like carrier at one end of said member, said carrier being adapted to receive an article when said member is in horizontal position, said member being swingable about said pivot in a downward direction to lower the carrier and immerse the same and the article carried thereby in said bath, said spoon-like carrier being tilted due to the downward swinging movement of the supporting member to a position to eject said article into said bath.

13. In a dipping means, the combination with a quenching bath; of a dipping member, including a swinging arm having a spoonlike carrier grid at one end thereof, said spoon-like carrier being adapted to receive and support an article when said arm is in horizontal position with the carrier disposed above said bath, said arm being swingable downwardly to inclined position to immerse the spoon and article thereon in the bath,

whereby said spoon is tilted to eject said article into said bath.

1'4. In a dipping device for articles, the combination with a tank adapted to contain a quenching fluid; of a dipper member including a carrier swingingly supported above the tank and adapted for downward swinging movement to immerse the carrier and an article thereon in said fluid; means for feeding articles successively to said carrier in a lengthwise direction to place said articles transversely of the carrier; and stop means for centering each article on said carrier, said stop means being adjustable for centering articles of different lengths.

15. In a dipping device for helically coiled spring members, the combination with a tank adapted to contain a quenching fluid; of a swinging supporting means pivoted on said frame member, including a carrier at one end thereof, said carrier being movable downwardly to immerse the carrier and the member thereon in said fluid; means for feeding spring members successively to said carrier in a lengthwise direction to place the same ransversely of the carrier; and stop means for centering said spring member on the carrier; said stop means being carried by the frame member and adjustable thereon for centering different lengths of spring members.

16. In a dipping device for helically coiled springs, the combination with a quenching bath; of a spoon-shaped member having means for swingingly supporting the same, said spoon-shaped member comprising side arms, which are curved downwardly and have substantially straight free end portions, and a plurality of transverse rods of substantially cylindrical cross section connecting said side arms and forming a basket portion.

17. In a dipping device for helically coiled spring members, the combination with a quenching bath; of a carrier for said spring members, including a spoon-like basket portion adapted to support the articles and be immersed in said bath, said spoon-like basket portion including side members and a plurality of spaced connecting transverse rod elements forming the bottom and end portions of said basket.

18. In a dipping device for helically coiled spring members, the combination with a quenching tank; of a supporting member pivotally arranged above said tank to swing in a vertical plane, said supporting member having a carrier section for the helical spring members at one end, said carrier section including spaced side arms connected by spaced bars forming the bottom and end portions of said carrier section, said side arms and said bar members being offset adjacent the connection with the supporting member to form a curved bowl portion, and. said side members V and bars at the free edge portion of said car- 7 rier being inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said supporting member.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 3rd day of: December, 1928. i

ARTHUR S. PHELPS. 

